Among the artists who showed their work were several of painters who became known as the 'Impressionists' -though not all the paintings would be recognised as Impressionist today. What held the group together was not so much a single approach to painting, but the close friendships and rivalries that encouraged the sharing and development of ideas.

Over the next 12 years, a further seven exhibitions were held, with artists including Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, Degas and Morisot taking part. A reviewer of the first exhibition described the painters as 'lunatics'. Strange to think how strongly that reputation has changed, and how admired these paintings are today.